Evile are one of Britain's finest exponents of thrash Metal, and have recently completed their second UK tour in support of their album 'Five Serpent's Teeth' in twelve months, so MetalTalk caught up with the band to find out how their latest tour went, if there's any gossip about them playing at the 2013 Download Festival, and the details of their upcoming charity gig for Amnesty's at an all-day Metal Fest in Leicester.

After the release of 'Five Serpent's Teeth' in September 2011, the band went straight out on a UK tour, which was followed by a short tour of Spain before they performed at a number of European festivals, making it back over to the UK just in time for the annual Bloodstock Festival. I asked them what the reaction to the album has been like.

"Well, it seems like it's been out for ages" explains guitarist/vocalist Matt Drake, "but in reality it's been just over a year, but the kids seem to enjoy it and they know all the songs really well and they are getting a good reaction at the gigs – well, no-one's booing us anyway!"

Bass player Joel Graham adds that they "haven't actually toured the album for more than two months, so in some ways it seems like the album is just out, and we keep forgetting it's been a lot longer."

"The touring", continues Graham "has been good though: Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield are all good places for us to play plus we had our first ever headline show in Belfast earlier this year, which is good. Usually we only get to Northern Ireland as a support act, like the last time we did was when we played there as special guests to Machine Head, which was great, but it's nice to go back there with our own show."

Work on the follow up to 'Five Serpent's Teeth' is already underway as Drake explains: "The studio's already been booked for February 2013. As with the last one, the band will be recording at Parlour Studios in Kettering with Russ Russell behind the desk again so they 'need to be prepared", he explains.

Producer Russ Russell, for those who aren't aware of his work, produced both 'Five Serpent's Teeth' and the band's 2009 album 'Infected Nations' has also worked with a lot of big names including Dimmu Borgir and Napalm Death. With over thirty song titles being collected already by Drake (which he's not sharing with anyone – yet), some 'killer' riffs as well as some song ideas, the band are sure that work on album number four will be as enjoyable as the creation of 'Five Serpent's Teeth' was.

Before all that, however, the band have been invited to headline the Amnesty's All Day Metal Fest in Leicester on Saturday 24th November. "It was nice to be asked (by Amnesty)", explains Drake, "it's a good way for us to do some good work for them and to bring some awareness of Amnesty and what they do whilst also giving our fans in Leicester and the Midlands a local show.

The other bands on the bill like Death Head and My Legacy were chosen before Evile were approached, but it's still a very solid bill for a worthy cause."

As well as Amnesty, the festival is also giving some of the proceeds to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. For those who don't know Sophie's story, there's a link to the official website here.

As Graham points out, "it's good to keep awareness of this charity too. Obviously high profile things like Bloodstock dedicating a stage in her honour is good for awareness and publicity for the charity, but we, like many other bands, think this is a campaign that is something all fans of Rock or Metal music should be aware of."

Drake continues: "It's important to get behind the campaign to make sure that the younger metal fans especially help to stamp out prejudice and intolerance towards other people, and if they are in a similar position, to Sophie or know someone who is, they know they don't have to go through it on their own – there is help out there."

Apart from recording their new album, what else is in store for Evile in 2013? "Well, the band have played Bloodstock every two years since 2006, so we're hoping for a spot next year but as yet, nothing has been confirmed" explains Matt.

With the Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth doubtful due to last year's cancellation, this leaves a clear field for Download at Donington Park to solidify their position as the UK's top Rock/Metal Festival, so does the band see themselves returning there?

"Well", says Matt, "having played Download in 2011 we're keeping our fingers crossed about playing the festival next year." Graham won't be drawn on it however, but as Matt points out "(they) would relish the chance to play quite high on a bill that is headlined by Iron Maiden" and who knows if this would lead to bigger tours for the band that might even see them headlining festivals like Bloodstock or Download in the future.

Whatever happens, though, the band fully intend to remain accessible to their fan base and always make sure that those people coming to see the band live (possibly for the first time) enjoy a great, fun, no frills, gimmick free evening from a band that gives nothing less than 100% to every live performance.